6 Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments in 2025

City living is a masterclass in compromise. You sacrifice square footage for location, and a backyard for a balcony with a view. But there is one compromise you shouldn't have to make: choosing between a stylish living room and a comfortable guest room.

For urban apartment dwellers, the sofa bed is the ultimate hero piece. It transforms a home office into a guest suite and a studio into a one-bedroom apartment. However, we know that not all sofa beds are created equal. In a high-density environment, you have specific needs that suburban homeowners don't. You need furniture that fits into service elevators, maneuvers around tight hallway corners, and doesn't require a team of removalists when your lease ends.

In this guide, we have analyzed the Australian market to help you find the best sofa beds specifically for urban living. We compared box dimensions, assembly ease, delivery speeds, and, of course, sleep comfort.

What you can expect in this article:

• A breakdown of the top 6 sofa bed brands available in Australia.

• Honest comparisons of delivery times, assembly requirements, and warranties.

• A guide to measuring your apartment for a sofa bed.

• Why we believe our Koala Sofa Bed range is the smartest choice for city living.

At a Glance: 6 Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments

If you are skimming for a quick answer, here is how we see the top contenders stacking up for city living.

1. Koala: Best Overall. We designed our range to be the apartment MVP—tool-free assembly, fast delivery, and boxes that fit in any lift.

2. Freedom: Best Budget Range. A solid choice for affordable options if you are willing to wait for delivery.

3. Lounge Lovers: Best for Aesthetics. Stylish, compact designs for design-conscious renters.

4. Castlery: Best Mid-Century Look. Beautiful Scandinavian-inspired designs with firm support.

5. King Living: Best Luxury Splurge. Premium steel frames and modularity for those who own their apartment and don't plan to move soon.

6. Nick Scali: Best Traditional Comfort. Classic leather and fabric options for larger open-plan apartments.

 

---

 

How We Chose the Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments

Selecting furniture for an apartment is fundamentally different from furnishing a house. When we look at the market, we evaluate platforms based on the unique pain points of city living. A sofa bed might look great in a showroom, but if the box doesn't fit in your lift, or if it takes 14 weeks to arrive when you have guests coming next weekend, it isn't the right choice.

We used the following criteria to rank these brands:

• Logistics & Box Dimensions: Can the packaging fit through a standard 820mm apartment door or a small service elevator?

• Assembly Difficulty: Does it require power tools and three people, or can it be assembled tool-free by one person? (Crucial for renters who move frequently).

• Speed of Delivery: Can you get it this week, or is there a 12-week manufacturing lead time?

• Footprint Efficiency: Does the sofa bed monopolize the room when open, or is it designed for compact spaces?

• Sleep Comfort: Is it a "hospital bed" experience, or does it use advanced foam/spring technology?

• Trial Periods: Can you return it easily if it doesn't fit your space or comfort needs?

 

---

 

The 6 Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments

1. Koala: The Best Sofa Bed for Urban Apartments

At Koala, we’ve spent years engineering our furniture specifically for the logistics of modern Australian living. We know that city life often means tight corners and strict lift bookings. That’s why, unlike traditional retailers that ship fully assembled bulky frames, we ship our sofa beds in modular, flat-packed boxes that are easy to carry into elevators and up stairwells.

For the urban dweller, our designs solve the two biggest headaches: access and assembly. You don't need to worry if the sofa will fit around the tight corner of your hallway because it comes in parts. Once inside, our tool-free assembly means you can have it set up in minutes without hunting for an Allen key. Combined with our Kloudcell® foam technology, we offer a sleep experience that rivals a standalone mattress—no metal bars, no squeaks.

Koala's Key Features

• Fast, Flexible Delivery: In metro areas, we can often deliver within 4 hours or in a specific window that suits your building's lift booking rules.

• Tool-Free Assembly: We use smart joinery that allows you to put the sofa together (and take it apart for moving day) without screws or drills.

• Kloudcell® Technology: We use the same comfort layer found in our award-winning mattresses, eliminating the dreaded "bar in the back" feeling.

• Compact Footprint: Our sofa beds are designed with space-saving dimensions that maximize seating width while minimizing bulky armrests.

• 120-Night Trial: You can test the sofa in your own apartment for 4 months. If it's not right, we pick it up for a full refund.

• Sustainable Materials: We use FSC® certified wood and CertiPUR-US® certified foam.

Koala's Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Apartment-Ready Packaging: Our boxes are designed to fit through narrow doors and tight stairwells where other sofas get stuck.

• Risk-Free Buying: Our 120-night trial removes the risk of buying online—if it doesn't fit your vibe, send it back.

• Instant Guest Room: Our FlipBed™ mechanisms are designed to flip open in seconds, not minutes.

Cons:

• Online Only: We don't have traditional showrooms, so you can't "sit before you buy" (though our trial period is designed to solve this).

• Limited Customization: To keep delivery fast, we offer a curated range of fabrics rather than hundreds of custom options.

• Self-Assembly: While easy, you do have to unbox and assemble it yourself (unless you pay for Premium Delivery).

2. Freedom: Affordable Options for Budget-Conscious Renters

Freedom is a staple in the Australian furniture landscape, offering a wide variety of styles ranging from Hamptons to modern industrial. For urban renters, Freedom provides a trustworthy middle ground between budget IKEA options and high-end designer pieces. Their sofa bed range often features decent mechanical fold-out systems and a variety of fabric choices if you are willing to wait for custom orders.

Freedom's Key Features

• Extensive Showroom Network: You can visit stores across Australia to test the mechanism and comfort levels personally.

• Wide Aesthetic Range: Whether your apartment is boho-chic or modern minimalist, Freedom likely has a silhouette to match.

• MyFreedom Membership: Members get extended warranties and frequent sales discounts.

Freedom's Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Price Accessibility: Frequent sales events make their sofa beds accessible for first-time apartment buyers.

• Physical Locations: The ability to see the fabric colour under store lighting before purchasing.

• Sturdy Mechanisms: Generally reliable metal fold-out frames.

Cons:

• Lead Times: Custom fabrics or out-of-stock items can take 12+ weeks to arrive, which is difficult if you have an immediate need.

• Bulk and Weight: Many models are delivered as single heavy units, which can be a nightmare to maneuver into older apartment buildings without goods lifts.

• Assembly Fees: Delivery often incurs a high fee, and full assembly might cost extra.

3. Lounge Lovers: Contemporary Designs for Modern Spaces

Lounge Lovers has carved out a niche for stylish, compact furniture that looks more expensive than it is. They are particularly strong in the "click-clack" and futon style sofa beds, which are excellent for studios or very small second bedrooms where the footprint of a fold-out mechanism isn't feasible. Their designs often prioritize a low profile, which helps small rooms feel larger.

Lounge Lovers' Key Features

• Compact Designs: Many models lack bulky armrests, maximising sitting space in narrow rooms.

• Designer Collaborations: They frequently feature collections that mimic high-end Italian designs at a fraction of the cost.

• Versatile Mechanisms: A good mix of fold-out, roll-out, and click-clack options.

Lounge Lovers' Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Visual Appeal: Excellent for design-focused apartments where the "look" is paramount.

• Small Scale Options: Ideal for "shoebox" apartments or home offices.

• Value for Money: Competitive pricing for the design quality provided.

Cons:

• Comfort Trade-offs: Some of the sleeker, cheaper click-clack models can be firm for sleeping and may require a mattress topper for guests staying longer than a night.

• Return Policy: Not as flexible or risk-free as our Koala trial; returning a bulky item can be logistically difficult and costly.

• Mechanism Durability: Budget models may be prone to wear over years of heavy use compared to premium robust frames.

4. Castlery: Scandinavian-Inspired Minimalist Options

If your apartment mood board is full of mid-century modern references and neutral tones, Castlery is a strong contender. They operate a direct-to-consumer model similar to us but with a heavy focus on aesthetics. Their sofa beds are often praised for their beautiful wooden legs and clean lines, making them look less like "sofa beds" and more like standard high-end sofas.

Castlery's Key Features

• Mid-Century Aesthetic: Tapered legs, tufted cushions, and textured fabrics are their signature.

• Fabric Swatches: You can order free fabric swatches to check against your apartment's lighting and paint.

• Fixed Shipping Capped: They often offer capped shipping rates in metro areas.

Castlery's Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Style Over Function: They are arguably some of the best-looking sofa beds on the market.

• Build Quality: Solid wood legs and frames feel sturdy and premium.

• Stock Availability: They usually keep popular models in stock for reasonable delivery times (2-4 weeks).

Cons:

• Firmness: Reviews frequently note that Castlery sofas run very firm. While good for posture, it may not be "sink-in" cozy for a movie marathon.

• Return Window: A 30-day return policy is significantly shorter than our 120 nights, putting more pressure on your decision.

• Delivery Windows: Scheduling can sometimes be less flexible than brands specializing in logistics.

5. King Living: Premium Luxury for High-End Apartments

King Living is famous for their engineered steel frames, these sofas are built to last a lifetime. For the apartment dweller who owns their penthouse or plans to stay put for a decade, a King sofa bed (like the Reo or Jasper) is an investment piece. They offer modularity that allows you to reconfigure the sofa layout, which can be handy in open-plan apartments.

King Living's Key Features

• Steel Frame Warranty: A 25-year warranty on the steel frame is the industry benchmark.

• Posturflex Seating: Uses a suspension system similar to European car seating for long-term support.

• Modularity: Components can be moved around to create daybeds, guest beds, or separate seating.

King Living's Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Durability: These sofa beds are virtually indestructible and will outlast most lease agreements.

• Luxurious Comfort: High-end memory foams and feather overlays are available.

• Customization: Endless choices of premium fabrics and leathers.

Cons:

• Extreme Weight: The steel frames are incredibly heavy. Moving a King sofa bed out of an apartment often requires professional removalists; you cannot do it with a mate and a ute.

• Price: Expect to pay a significant premium; often double or triple the price of other brands on this list.

• Lead Times: Custom orders can take months to manufacture and ship.

6. Nick Scali: Traditional Comfort with Classic Appeal

Nick Scali is synonymous with leather lounges and electric recliners. For an apartment dweller who values traditional comfort over modern minimalism, Nick Scali offers substantial, plush sofa beds. These are often larger pieces suited for the main living area of a two-bedroom apartment rather than a compact studio.

Nick Scali's Key Features

• Leather Specialization: A vast range of high-quality leather grades which are durable and easy to wipe clean.

• Electric Options: Some models feature electric reclining headrests alongside the sofa bed mechanism.

• High Back Support: Many designs focus on neck and back support, appealing to taller users.

Nick Scali's Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Plush Comfort: Deep seating and soft leather provide a very "traditional" cozy feel.

• Longevity: High-quality leather, if cared for, ages well.

• Showroom Experience: Large showrooms allow for extensive testing.

Cons:

• Bulkiness: The designs are often "puffy" and large, which can visually overwhelm a small apartment living room.

• Access Issues: These sofas often come in large, fixed pieces that may not fit through tight apartment entryways or older elevators.

• Wait Times: Like Freedom, lead times can extend well beyond 3 months for specific configurations.

 

---

 

Comparison Table: Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments

 

---

 

What Size Sofa Bed Works Best in Small Apartments?

In urban apartments, "space" is your most valuable currency. When choosing a sofa bed size, our experts recommend considering two measurements: the closed footprint and the open footprint.

For a typical 1-bedroom apartment or studio, a 2.5-seater (roughly 160cm–180cm wide) is often the "Goldilocks" size. It provides enough room for two people to sit comfortably without dominating the wall space. However, the critical error most buyers make is forgetting the open depth.

Standard fold-out mechanisms extend roughly 210cm to 230cm into the room. You need to measure this distance to ensure the foot of the bed doesn't hit your TV unit or block the path to the bathroom. If your living room is narrow, consider a model like our Koala Sofa Bed, which is designed with a compact forward-folding action that saves precious centimeters compared to bulky traditional roll-out mechanisms.

Pro Tip: Always measure your elevator door height and width. If the box is larger than the door, your new sofa bed will be stuck in the lobby.

 

---

 

How Do You Choose Between a Sofa Bed and a Daybed for Your Apartment?

The choice between a sofa bed and a daybed often comes down to how you use your living space.

A Sofa Bed is primarily a sofa. It looks like a lounge, sits like a lounge, and hides its mattress completely. We believe this is the superior choice for your main living room because it preserves the aesthetic of a "grown-up" apartment. It is better for couples and better for hosting parents or friends who expect a standard bed experience.

A Daybed is essentially a single bed dressed up to look like a seat. It usually has a visible mattress and three sides. Daybeds are excellent for home offices or sunrooms where the piece is used for lounging and reading one person at a time. However, for a main living area, a daybed can look like bedroom furniture, which might make a studio apartment feel like a dorm room. For urban versatility, the sofa bed wins on functionality and style.

 

---

 

Why Koala Is the Best Sofa Bed for Urban Apartments

When you strip away the marketing and look at the logistics of city living, we truly believe Koala is the smart choice for urban apartments. While competitors like King Living or Nick Scali offer undeniable luxury, their lead times, heavy frames, and complex logistics are often at odds with the agile nature of renting and apartment life.

We have reverse-engineered the sofa bed experience to solve the specific problems you face as a city dweller. Our boxes fit in your lift. Our assembly requires no tools. Our delivery is fast enough to save you when last-minute guests invite themselves over. Most importantly, our 120-night trial allows you to make a major furniture decision without the fear of being stuck with something that doesn't fit your space.

For a sofa bed that balances comfort, style, and the practical realities of urban living, we've got you covered.

Explore the Koala Sofa Bed Range Here

 

---

 

FAQs: Best Sofa Beds for Urban Apartments

What's the most comfortable sofa bed for daily use?

For daily use, you need a sofa bed that separates the sitting cushion from the sleeping mattress or uses high-density foam. We use Kloudcell® foam in our sofa beds, which is designed to mimic the support of a standalone mattress, making it suitable for frequent sleepers rather than just occasional guests.

How much should I spend on a sofa bed for my apartment?

A quality sofa bed that won't sag after a year typically costs between $1,000 and $2,500. Spending less often means sacrificing mechanism durability or foam density. In this price bracket, you get reliable warranties (like our 5-year warranty) and fabrics that withstand daily wear.

Do sofa beds work well in studio apartments?

Yes, they are essential for studios. The key is choosing a model with a "forward-facing" fold rather than a heavy pull-out mechanism. Look for sofa beds with internal storage (for linen) to maximize utility in a single-room living situation.

What's the difference between a sofa bed and a futon?

A futon generally consists of a single mattress that bends to form the seat and back. They are cheaper but often less comfortable. A sofa bed typically looks like a standard couch and contains a hidden mattress or a sophisticated foam unfolding system, offering superior support and aesthetics.

How do I maintain a sofa bed in a small space?

Vacuum the mattress surface regularly to remove dust mites. If you have a tight space, ensure the mechanism is lubricated annually (if metal). For fabric care in small apartments where spills are more likely, choose a model with removable, washable covers or stain-resistant fabric.